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Academic Program in Aix-en-Provence

View of vast lavender fields near Aix. There is a small cabin in the background, along with a large mountain range.
The cohort of students are gathered outside for a photo. They are close together and smiling at the camera.
A student is posed in front of the ocean. Waves are crashing onto the rocky cliffs around them. They are smiling at the camera.
Students are gathered in a semi-circle outside and are listening to their instructor. They are focused and facing away from the camera.
Three students are on a hike through the mountains at sunset. They are looking away from the camera and at each other.
Students are riding in a small tram car through the streets of Aix. They are looking at the camera and smiling.
Vast lavender fields alongside a cabin. A mountain range takes up the background.
Students are outside and gathered for a class. They are listening directly to their instructor and looking away from the camera.
Students are walking down the streets of Aix in a vertical line. They are looking away from the camera.

Guaranteed scholarships for UW-Madison student participants!
$5000 award for fall 2026
$7000 award for academic year 2026-27
$2000 award for spring 2027

France, Aix-en-Provence

Spend a semester or academic year immersed in the French language and culture of Southern France!  Stroll the Cours Mirabeau, passing by the many fountains of Aix-en-Provence and stopping at the markets on your way to class. Take a weekend to hike up Montagne Sainte Victoire for a beautiful view of the countryside and end the day with a stop at one of the remaining Roman spas in town.  Enjoy fresh ingredients, a mild climate, and plenty of sunshine while you immerse in French culture for your study abroad adventure.  A wide variety of courses are available at two institutions: Aix-Marseille Université and Sciences Po-Aix where French speakers will be enrolled in classes alongside French and international students. The program also offers specially designed courses for program participants in grammar and composition, oral expression, and history & civilization. Students at a lower level of French proficiency are able to enroll at SUL, a French language and culture institute at Aix-Marseille Université.

The Academic Program in Aix-en-Provence, established in 1962, is offered by a consortium of Indiana University and UW-Madison. A faculty member from one of the participating U.S. universities serves as the Faculty Director for the academic year and teaches at least one course. The Faculty Director, along with local Assistant Director, assists with all aspects of the program.

Aix-Marseille Université was founded in the early fifteenth century. Along with Sciences Po-Aix, it offers many opportunities for the study of French language, culture and various courses in social sciences. Both institutions are located in Aix-en-Provence, a city of about 150,000 people in southeastern France.

As the former capital of the Kingdom of Provence and a former Roman city, Aix features remnants from Roman and Medieval times. For centuries, Aix-en-Provence has been famous for art, music festivals, fountains, and a pleasant climate. Cezanne's paintings immortalize the beautiful countryside of this region. While small enough that you can walk anywhere and not get lost in the shuffle, Aix offers plenty to explore and is located only a short distance from Marseille and the Côte d'Azur.

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Gain competence with the French language, and knowledge of French culture, history and the arts
  • Intergrate into the academic and social environment of a French university
  • Undergo an immersion experience in a supportive environment
  • Achieve personal growth and development

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students and degree-seeking undergraduate students at a US college or university. Consortium university students should apply directly to their home university.
  • 2.5 cumulative GPA; with 3.0 in French courses

  • Sciences-Po requires a major in political science, international studies, international business, or similar, and completion of two university-level courses in political science/philosophy, international relations, international economics, European history, or similar.
  • AMU and Sciences-Po require fifth semester of college-level French and a B2 language level. SUL requires four semesters of college-level French and/or an A1/A2/B1 language level.

  • Junior, Senior
  • Language Prerequisite(s):
    Variable (see notes) French
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Humanities, social sciences, French language and literature.

Classroom Language

French

Housing

Apartments, Rented Room, Residence Hall

Program Duration

Program end dates will vary based on academic track:
Academic Year: Late August – Late April or late June
Fall: Late August – Mid-December or mid-January
Spring: Early January – Late April or late June

Application Deadline(s)

Fall 2026-27 - [AMU] 2/20/2026 Cost Details
Year 2026-27 2/20/2026 Cost Details
Fall 2026-27 - [Sciences-Po] 2/20/2026 Cost Details
Fall 2026-27 - [SUL] 2/20/2026 Cost Details
Spring 2026-27 - [AMU] 9/4/2026 Cost Details
Spring 2026-27 - [Sciences Po] 9/4/2026 Cost Details
Spring 2026-27 - [SUL] 9/4/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

If you have reached a B2 level of French proficiency that typically can be obtained after taking five or more semesters of French, you will be directly enrolling in classes in French alongside local French students. There are two university options with different types of courses offered: Aix-Marseille Université and Sciences Po-Aix. If you have a lower level of French proficiency and 4 semesters of French, you are able to enroll at SUL, a French language and culture institute at Aix-Marseille Université. Many courses in French language, literature, history and culture are offered at the SUL.

If you are placed at Aix-Marseille Université, you will be enrolled in the Faculté LSH (Lettres - Sciences Humaines) and can take courses in cinema, education, geography, history, art history, archeology, communications, foreign languages, French literature, music, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and theatre. Students enroll in courses after the program orientation in consultation with the Faculty Director. Course offerings are published at the beginning of each semester and are taught by Universite faculty.

If you are placed at Sciences Po-Aix, you can take courses in political science, international studies, communications, European Union, economics, history, journalism, law, and French and European Institutions. Students interested in applying for this track must have a declared major in political science, international studies, international business, or another social science and have taken at least two university-level courses related to political science, political theory, political philosophy, social-science theory, European history, or similar topics prior to departure. Courses are taught by law researchers, professors, and professionals in the field.

To prepare for regular university courses at both institutions, you will enroll in an orientation/language session called the Cours Intensif. This session consists of one to two weeks (depending on the French university calendar) of intensive study of French language, literature, and civilization. Due to the different academic calendars, Sciences Po-Aix students may not be able to participate in the Cours Intensif. In addition, you will enroll in a semester-long French course to improve your written French. 

If your French proficiency level does not meet the requirements for Aix-Marseille Université or Sciences Po-Aix, don't worry! You can study French language, literature, history and culture at SUL, a language institute within Aix-Marseille Université.

If you are participating on the academic year program you could study at SUL for the fall semester with the intent of moving to either Aix-Marseille Université or Sciences Po-Aix for regular courses during the spring semester.

Affiliate Institution(s)

Aix-Marseille Université Sciences Po-Aix SUL (Service Universitaire des Langues)

Foreign Courses

Sciences Po Aix courses SUL (Service Universitaire des Langues) AMU website

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents